Disposable liquefied gas container and burner outlet fitting therefor

ABSTRACT

A disposable liquefied gas container and removable reusable fitting therefor wherein provision is made for attaching the fitting to the container, destroying the container seal, and preventing either inflow or outflow of gas through the fitting by means of a pair of oppositely directed check valves. Attachment of a burner coupling device to the fitting opens one of the check valves to permit flow of gas from the container to a gas appliance.

United States Patent Coppens et a1.

[15] 3,684,132 51 Aug. 15, 1972 154] DISPOSABLE LIQUEFIED GAS CONTAINER AND BURNER OUTLET FITTING THEREFOR [72] Inventors: Mattheus Johannes Martinus Coppens; Livinus Eduardus Maria Jozephus Mannaerts, both of Heide- Kalmthout, Belgium [73] Assignee: Inland Steel Company, Chicago, 111. [22] Filed: Feb. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 9,789

[52] US. Cl .....222/5, 222/81 [51] Int. Cl. ..B67b 7/24 [58] Field of Search ..222/5, 80, 81, 82, 89, 322, 222/402.1, 402.14, 519, 520, 505, 568;

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS Corlet ..222/5 lip rrI/ 3,107,691 [0/1963 Schwarz ..137/614.19 3,154,223 10/ l 964 Messmer ..222/402. 14 3,186,449 6/ 1965 A Tissot-DuPont .141/353 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 657.578 2/1963 Canada ..141/353 1,814,477 l/l968 Germany 141/353 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-James M. Slattery Attorney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann ABSTRACT A disposable liquefied gas container and removable reusable fitting therefor wherein provision is made for attaching the fitting to the container, destroying the container seal, and preventing either inflow or outflow of gas through the fitting by means of a pair of oppositely directed check valves. Attachment of a burner coupling device to the fitting opens one of the check valves to permit flow of gas from the container to a gas appliance.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEmus 15 m2 SHEET 1 [IF 2 4 m. 2m mym 5 2 mfi M 0 f M M DISPOSABLE LIQUEFIED GAS CONTAINER AND BURNER OUTLET FI'I'IING THEREFOR The present invention relates generally to disposable liquefied gas containers and, more particularly, to an improved closure construction for throwaway liquefied gas containers of the type commonly used in connection with gas appliances used for heating and lighting purposes. In its principle aspects, the invention is concerned with an improved closure construction for throwaway type liquefied gas containers which is characterized by its ability to be quickly and easily attached to the outlet opening of a disposable non-refillable type container to destroy the seal therein, yet which permits the attachment and removal of different burner heads without a substantial loss of gas from the container.

Many kinds of gas appliances for heating or lighting purposes which utilize liquefied gas fuel, such as butane, propane and the like maintained within a container under liquefying pressure are available for widespread commercial and private applications. The liquefied gas containers utilized with such appliances are also available in various forms and sizes.

Disposable containers, or the throwaway type are usually fairly small and are specifically designed with a closure seal that can only be opened once. Opening of the disposable type containers usually occurs, by

removing or perforating a sealing strip which is either glued, soldered or otherwise attached across an opening at the top of the container, when the burner attachment is in position. With such an arrangement it is insured that the disposable container cannot be used more than once, and thus the container may be constructed with thinner and lighter weight material, thus minimizing the cost of the container.

A disadvantage, of course, of utilizing the smaller size disposable gas containers is their accompanying small volume of liquefied gas contained therein which renders them still fairly expensive to use. Where the gas appliances operated with such containers are used infrequently and then, for only short periods of time, such as in connection with those types of gas appliances used by campers, the higher price demanded for smaller disposable containers may be unimportant.

Where larger sources of liquefied gas are needed for operating gas appliances, it has been common practice to utilize larger refillable containers which incorporate a closure through which the supply of gas can be passed to the appliance as well as enabling the container to be refilled therethrough. Such containers must be designed for repeated use, and therefor must meet the strict demands required to render them suitable for use repeatedly as well as the ability to withstand the rigors of handling, transportation and storage. After'a certain duration of use, such larger volume refillable liquefied gas containers must be reconditioned, which introduces further difficulties in guaranteeing a uniform safety standard because of the different uses and times of use that the containers have been subjected to.

Accordingly, it is the general aim of the present invention to provide an improved disposable liquefied gas container and closure arrangement which not only permits the use of various types of burners to be attached without loss of substantial quantities of gas during attachment or removal of the burners, but wherein the container, regardless of the size is disposable and precludes any attempt at refilling the container.

In another of its important aspects, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved burner fitting construction for disposable liquefied gas containers wherein attachment may quickly and easily be effected to destroy the container seal while providing its own sealing arrangement for the container yet maintains the gas tight integrity of the container even when subjected to vigorous handling, and storage conditions. A related object of permits different burners to be attached and removed without substantial loss of gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide. an improved fitting for disposable liquefied gas containers which provides for an initial release of pressure before the fitting can be fully disengaged from a supposedly empty container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reusable closure fitting for nonrefillable liquefied gas containers which is extremely reliable and fool proof and yet may be inexpensively and easily manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction .with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a exemplary liquefied gas container and burner fitting embodying the features of the present invention;

' FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the liquefied gas container and burner fitting shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, showing a burner fitting construction of the present invention, but with a showing of a burner attachment applied to the fitting;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a modified disposable liquefied gas container and burner fitting construction embodying. the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in F IG.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and'alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary liquefied gas container 10 which may be constructed of light-weight, low cost materials so that it can be thrown away when empty. Such containers as well known to those skilled in the art are typically formed of two parts, one of which contains an outlet opening that is sealed with a destructable or removable seal. The liquefied gas is placed into the container parts which are then fastened together by suitable fastening means to form the completed container. At the top of the container 10 of FIG. I disposed above the outlet opening of the container there is provided an inverted U-shaped bracket 12 including bent over flanges at its ends which are secured to the wall of the container by suitable means such as welding or the like. The bracket 12 is provided with an opening 13 located above the outlet opening of the container 10 (FIG. 3). In the particular embodiment illustrated, the container outlet opening 14 (FIG. 3) is sealed by a generally cup-shaped closure member 15 suitably attached to the bent over edge of the container wall 11 surrounding the opening 14 so as to effect a tight seal against escape of the pressurized liquefied gas in the container. To further strengthen the bent over edge of the container wall surrounding the opening 14, a reinforcing band 16 is provided which abuts the inner surfaces of the marginal edge and forms a multiple ply arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a reusable outlet fitting 18 which may be attached to the container to serve as a connector between the container and a burner coupling device while also providing means for destroying the container seal and yet permitting attachment and removal of burner coupling devices without any substantial loss of gas. In addition to the foregoing functions, the fitting 18 includes provision for preventing the undesired refilling of the container.

In the illustrative embodiment, the fitting 18 which has a centrally located opening 19 therethrough is adapted to be received and held into position between the bracket 12 and the top wall 11 of the container such that central opening 19 of fitting 18 is concentrically oriented with respect to the bracket opening 13 and the container opening 14. For the purpose of securing the fitting 18 in place between the bracket and the container as well as effecting a destruction of the container seal there is provided a plug 20 having a shank portion 21 adapted to threadably engage a reducer diameter portion at the lower end of the fitting opening 19.-A suitable keyhole 22 provided at the top of the plug 20 enables the insertion of a tool for threadably tightening the plug after the fitting 18 is in position beneath bracket 12.

For the purpose for piercing the seal there is provided a pointed protrusion or tool 23 depending from the end of shank 21 of plug 20. The arrangement is such that upon threadably securing the plug 20 to the fitting 18 the pointed end of tool 23 pierces the seal to make an opening through which gas can escape while at the same time a resilient gasket 21a at the end 21 of the plug bears against the marginal edge of container opening 14 to seal against, loss of gas and the opposite side of fitting 18 is urged into tight engagement with the bracket 12.

Subsequent removal of the fitting 18 from the container requires threadably disengaging the plug from the fitting opening 19 and it will be appreciated that if an attempt is made to remove the fitting 18 before the container 10 is entirely empty the unscrewing of the plug 20 will result in leakage of the gas between the plug and the opening 14 which should adequately warn the user by a hissing sound that will be produced. Even the slight pressure that might be present in a substantially empty tank will be relieved before the plug 20 can be completely removed to dislodge fitting 18 from between the bracket 12 and the top wall 11 of the container.

In carrying out the present invention fitting 18 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed check valve means arranged so as to prevent the in flow or outflow of gas through interconnecting ports 26, 28 of the plug which communicate with a channel 30 leading to fitting opening 19. In the present instance the check valves which are in the form of balls 32, 34 held respectively the container.

In keeping with the invention, the valve ball34 nor mally urged against seat 36 by its spring 37 prevents the outflow of gas from the container, but is automatically urged away from its seat when a burner coupling device 38 is threadably secured into opening 19 of fitting l8. Removal of the burner coupling device 38 allows the ball 34 to reseat under the action of its spring 3'7 thereby enabling the attachment and removal of the same burner coupling device 38 or a different one without any substantial loss of gas fromthe container. It will be appreciated that with a burner coupling device 38 in the assembled position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the fitting 18 cannot be removed from the container 10 since it is precluded by the bracket 12 and the inexcessability of the plug 20.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a modified from of liquefied gas container and outlet fitting embodying the features of the present invention. In the present instance, as shown in FIG. 4, the top wall 40 of the container includes an enlarged opening with a reinforced marginal edge indicated generally at 41 and attached to which is a recessed, generally cupshaped member 42. The member 42 is provided with an annular head 43 providing a groove on its internal surface and the lower portion of the member 42, as best shown in FIG. 5, is provided with indentations so that it is noncircular in cross section. At the lower end of member 42 there is provided an opening 44 which is sealed by a closure strip 46 seal which is suitably fastened across the opening 44 by glueing, soldering, or the like in such a way that it will be released by a predetermined downwardly exerted pressure. It will be appreciated of course that various different types of seals for member 42 may be utilized either as separately attached closures to cover the opening 44 or, an integrallyformed closure with score lines so that it may be punched out with the application of pressure thereon.

In accordance with the present invention and in the present instance there is provided fitting 48 which is adapted to be inserted into the central portion-of cupshaped member 42 of the container. For the purpose of preventing relative rotation of the fitting 48 with respect to the member 42 when it is inserted therein, (FIG. 5), fitting 48 includes an enlarged portion 49 at its lower end which is of a corresponding configuration to the indented lower portion of container member 42.

In order to fixedly retain the fitting 48 within the container member 42, a resilient ring shaped member 50 is interposed between the fitting 48 and the container member 42 so that it is deformed by means of a ring member 52 threadably engaged with the fitting 48 in such a way that rotation of the ring 52 forces the resilient member 50 into the groove 43 of closure member 42..The resilient member 50 is pressed tightly against the outer wall of fitting 48 as well as against the inner wall of member 42.

For the purpose of facilitating the tightening of ring 52 as well as threadably releasing it with respect to the fitting 48, there is provided pin holes 54, adapted to receive corresponding pins located on a spanner tool or the like (not shown) that may be used for rotating the ring 52. Similar pin holes 56 are provided on the fitting 48 likewise to receive a suitable spanner tool to hold the fitting 48 while tightening or loosening the ring 52.

In keeping with this form of the invention, fitting 48 includes a longitudinally extending passageway 58 which extends completely through the fitting to provide for gas flow therethrough from the container opening 44 when seal 46 is removed. Adjacent the top of fitting passageway 58 there is provided a threaded portion 59 adapted to receive a burner coupling device (not shown) which may be threadably attached to the fitting 48.

The present construction also embodies a pair of oppositely oriented check valve means, one of which prevents the inflow of gas to the container while the other permits the burner coupling device to be attached and removed without substantial loss of gas from the container. To this end, a valve ball 60 is normally urged against a seat 61 formed adjacent the top of the inner wall of fitting passageway 58. This ball 60 is kept in the closed position by a spring 64, one end of which bears against the ball 60 while the other end bears against a land 65 formed on the inner wall of passage way 58. It will be appreciated that the ball 60 will be urged away from its seat 61 by the burner coupling device when the latter is threadably attached to fitting 48 and the end of the ball 60 will return to the seat 61 when the burner coupling device is removed.

Directly beneath the ball 60 is a pin member 62 which has an enlarged head 63 that bears against the ball 60. The opposite end of the pin 62 rests on the second valve member 62 which in this instance includes a cup-shaped portion at its top and a pin 70 depending from the cup-shaped portion, Aspring 68 surrounding the pin 62 urges the second valve member 66 in a downwardly direction. The arrangement is such that with ball 60 against its seat 61 and the bottom of ball 60 resting on pin 62 which in turn rests on valve member 66, the lower end of pin 70 rests against the closure strip 46. When the burner coupling device is attached to the fitting 48 is pushes against the ball urging it downwards and the closure strip 46 is detached by pin 70. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that a piercing device or the like could be mounted at the lower end of pin 70 to punch through a closure seal rather than simply pushing it aside.

After the closure strip 46 is pushed out of the way, valve member 66 is free to continue its travel downwardly with the aid of spring 66 until the outer surface of the cup-shaped portion of valve member 66 bears against valve seat 72, disposed at the lower end of passageway 58. When valve 66 is in position against seat 72, gas cannot be introduced back into the container through the passageway 58 although pressure from the container for outflow of gas will urge the valve 66 off its seat against the pressure of spring 68.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that any pressure that might be left in a supposedly empty container can be released by depressing the ball 60 before any attempt is made to remove the fitting 48 by release of ring 54.

As can be seen from the foregoing detailed description, this invention provides an improved disposable liquefied gas container and fitting construction that permits different burner coupling devices to be attached and removed without substantial loss of gas while preventing any attempt to refill the container by introducing gas back through the fitting. The fitting arrangements provided by the invention maintain the gastight integrity of the container, even when subjected to the rigors of storage and handling conditions and the fittings can be easily applied to and removed from containers with great ease and facility.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a disposable liquefied gas container having an opening provided with aclosure seal of the type which may be opened only once and said container having means adjacent said sealed container outlet for attaching a fitting thereto, the combination therewith, comprising,

a fitting with a longitudinal passageway therethrough having inlet and outlet ends,

said outlet end being adapted to receive a burner coupling device,

means for attaching said fitting to said container fitting attachment means with said fitting inlet passage end sealingly communicating with the container outlet opening,

means disposed in said fitting passageway for effecting a removal of the container opening seal,

means including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends, one of said check valves being adapted to move to an open position when said burner coupling device is attached to said fitting,

said outlet coupling means comprising a recessed cup-shaped member,

said member including said removal closure seal in conjunction with an opening defined at the bottom of said member,

said fitting passageway communicatively connected with the sealed opening defined in said member,

a resilient ring interposed between said fitting and i said member and a fastening ring threadably attachable to said fitting above said resilient ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it in a direction toward said resilient ring deforms the -resilient ring into tight fitting engagement with said fitting and said cup-shaped member thereby securely attaching said fitting to the container,

said fitting passageway check valves including a valve seat adjacent the outlet end,

a second valve seat adjacent the inlet end,

a resiliently biased ball normally held against said first said valve seat,

a second valve member including a cup-shaped portion and a depending pin therefrom,

said valve pin resting on said closure seal when the fitting is inserted within the cup-shaped member,

pin means interposed between said ball and said cupshaped portion of said second valve,

said pin means being dimensioned such that when said second valve rests against the closure seal and said ball is held firmly against the first valve seat, pressure upon said ball in a direction away from said first seat presses said pin end of said second first valve against said opening seal removing the same and said second valve outer surface of said cupshaped portion moves into place against said second valve seat.

2. In a disposable liquefied gas container having an opening provided with a closure seal of the type which may be opened only once and said container having means adjacent said sealed container outlet for attaching a fitting thereto, the combination therewith, comprising,

' a fitting with a longitudinal passageway therethrough having inlet and outlet ends,

said outlet end being adapted to receive a burner coupling device,

means for attaching said fitting to said container fitting attachment means with said fitting inlet passage end sealingly communicating with the container outlet opening,

means disposed in said fitting passageway for effecting a removal of the container opening seal,

means including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends,

one of said check valves being adapted to move to an open position when said burner coupling device is attached to said fitting,

said container fitting attachment means comprising a recessed cup-shaped member,

said member'including said removable closure seal in conjunction with an opening defined at the bottom of said member,

said fitting passageway communicatively connected with the seal opening defined in said member,

a resilient ring interposed between said fitting and said member,

a fastening ring threadably attachable to said fitting above said resilient ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it in a direction toward said resilient ring deforms the ring into tight fitting engagement with said fitting and cup-shaped member thereby securely attaching said fitting to the container,

said cup-shaped member including a portion non-circular in cross-section intermediate its ends,

said fitting including an enlarged portion of corresponding non-circular cross-section engageable with the cup-shaped member non-circular portion when fitted therein for precluding relative rotation between said fitting and said member.

3, A burner outlet fitting for a disposable liquefied gas container comprising, in combination,

a fitting member having a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough including inlet and outlet ends,

said fitting having an enlarged outer wall portion adjacent the inlet end of said fitting,

a threaded outer wall portion adjacent the fitting outlet end,

an internally threaded fastening ring adapted to be attached to said threaded outlet end of said fitting,

a resilient ring disposed about said fitting between the enlarged portion of said fitting and said fastening ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it toward said resilient ring deforms the ring outwardly for attachment to a container openmfifis including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends,

at least one of said check valves comprising a ball,

a valve seat disposed in said fitting passageway adjacent to the outlet end,

resilient meansfor urging the ball against said seat preventing flow to the passageway outlet end and said ball being disposed so that it is dislodged from said seat by attachment of a burner coupling device to the outlet end of said fitting,

the other check valve including a second valve seat adjacent the inlet end,

a second valve member having a cup-shaped portion in a depending pin therefrom adapted to pass through the inlet end of said fitting,

pin 'means interposed between said valve ball and said cup-shaped portion of said second valve,

said pin means being dimensioned such that it engages said valve ball held against the first valve seat and said second valve whereby pressure upon said ball in a direction away from said first seat urges the pin end of said second valve through the sealed inlet end of said fitting. 

1. In a disposable liquefied gas container having an opening provided with a closure seal of the type which may be opened only once and said container having means adjacent said sealed container outlet for attaching a fitting thereto, the combination therewith, comprising, a fitting with a longitudinal passageway therethrough having inlet and outlet ends, said outlet end being adapted to receive a burner coupling device, means for attaching said fitting to said container fitting attachment means with said fitting inlet passage end sealingly communicating with the container outlet opening, means disposed in said fitting passageway for effecting a removal of the container opening seal, means including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends, one of said check valves being adapted to move to an open position when said burner coupling device is attached to said fitting, said outlet coupling means comprising a recessed cup-shaped member, said member including said removal closure Seal in conjunction with an opening defined at the bottom of said member, said fitting passageway communicatively connected with the sealed opening defined in said member, a resilient ring interposed between said fitting and said member and a fastening ring threadably attachable to said fitting above said resilient ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it in a direction toward said resilient ring deforms the resilient ring into tight fitting engagement with said fitting and said cup-shaped member thereby securely attaching said fitting to the container, said fitting passageway check valves including a first valve seat adjacent the outlet end, a second valve seat adjacent the inlet end, a resiliently biased ball normally held against said first said valve seat, a second valve member including a cup-shaped portion and a depending pin therefrom, said valve pin resting on said closure seal when the fitting is inserted within the cup-shaped member, pin means interposed between said ball and said cup-shaped portion of said second valve, said pin means being dimensioned such that when said second valve rests against the closure seal and said ball is held firmly against the first valve seat, pressure upon said ball in a direction away from said first seat presses said pin end of said second valve against said opening seal removing the same and said second valve outer surface of said cup-shaped portion moves into place against said second valve seat.
 2. In a disposable liquefied gas container having an opening provided with a closure seal of the type which may be opened only once and said container having means adjacent said sealed container outlet for attaching a fitting thereto, the combination therewith, comprising, a fitting with a longitudinal passageway therethrough having inlet and outlet ends, said outlet end being adapted to receive a burner coupling device, means for attaching said fitting to said container fitting attachment means with said fitting inlet passage end sealingly communicating with the container outlet opening, means disposed in said fitting passageway for effecting a removal of the container opening seal, means including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends, one of said check valves being adapted to move to an open position when said burner coupling device is attached to said fitting, said container fitting attachment means comprising a recessed cup-shaped member, said member including said removable closure seal in conjunction with an opening defined at the bottom of said member, said fitting passageway communicatively connected with the seal opening defined in said member, a resilient ring interposed between said fitting and said member, a fastening ring threadably attachable to said fitting above said resilient ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it in a direction toward said resilient ring deforms the ring into tight fitting engagement with said fitting and cup-shaped member thereby securely attaching said fitting to the container, said cup-shaped member including a portion non-circular in cross-section intermediate its ends, said fitting including an enlarged portion of corresponding non-circular cross-section engageable with the cup-shaped member non-circular portion when fitted therein for precluding relative rotation between said fitting and said member.
 3. A burner outlet fitting for a disposable liquefied gas container comprising, in combination, a fitting member having a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough including inlet and outlet ends, said fitting having an enlarged outer wall portion adjacent the inlet end of said fitting, a threaded outer wall portion adjacent the fitting outlet end, an internally threaded fastening ring adapted to be attached to said threaded outlet end of said fittIng, a resilient ring disposed about said fitting between the enlarged portion of said fitting and said fastening ring so that rotation of said fastening ring advancing it toward said resilient ring deforms the ring outwardly for attachment to a container opening, means including a pair of oppositely directed check valves interposed in said fitting passageway between said inlet and outlet ends, at least one of said check valves comprising a ball, a valve seat disposed in said fitting passageway adjacent to the outlet end, resilient means for urging the ball against said seat preventing flow to the passageway outlet end and said ball being disposed so that it is dislodged from said seat by attachment of a burner coupling device to the outlet end of said fitting, the other check valve including a second valve seat adjacent the inlet end, a second valve member having a cup-shaped portion in a depending pin therefrom adapted to pass through the inlet end of said fitting, pin means interposed between said valve ball and said cup-shaped portion of said second valve, said pin means being dimensioned such that it engages said valve ball held against the first valve seat and said second valve whereby pressure upon said ball in a direction away from said first seat urges the pin end of said second valve through the sealed inlet end of said fitting. 